Consumers might primarily depend on grocery stores to stock their pantries, but they are also increasingly turning to them to help take care of their health.

As 2023 drew to a close, FMI – The Food Industry Association, revealed that the percentage of consumers it surveyed who felt that their main food store places a priority on their well-being rose during the year, underscoring the opportunity retailers have to build loyalty with shoppers by showing they care about their well-being.

In a reflection of the growing attention grocers are paying to health and wellness, Hy-Vee began offering a subscription-based program last year that provides customers with access to services like nutrition counseling and fitness videos. Albertsons, meanwhile, launched an online health platform designed to guide consumers in making informed decisions related to issues like nutrition, and Kroger began a partnership with a healthcare technology program that lets people in some government- and employer-sponsored benefits programs access certain benefits in stores. 

Grocers are also working with other organizations in their communities to demonstrate their commitment to people’s health. Food Lion announced in early 2023 that it had started a pilot program with a North Carolina hospital to encourage patients to eat well after being discharged, while Giant Food rolled out a workplace wellness program to help local businesses look out for their employees.

Here’s a roundup of some of the most significant health- and wellness-related developments in the grocery industry in 2023.